New Community Intercom 1999-04

£ INTERCOM

SOCIAL INVESTMENT NEWS

aml inks April 1999 ‘Newark, NJ 07103

Tel. (973) 623-2800

MISSION - To help residents of inner cities improve
the quality of their lives to reflect individual
God-given dignity and personal achievement

Social Justice -- NCC

In his article in America, Oct. 31, 1998, Father William J. Byron, S.J. presents the "underappreciated,
undercommunicated, and not sufficiently understood " body of Catholic social teaching. He has done
some editing of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops '" Sharing Catholic Social Teaching :
Challenges and Directions --- Reflections of the U.S. Catholic Bishops ". ( 6/98 ) Byron makes the Bishops'
document more readable and, therefore, easier to internalize and act upon.

In its thirty-one years of existence as a community development corporation, NCC has acted upon these
principles. Our mission ( top right ) embodies the ten building blocks upon which these principles rest.
Human Person --- Human Life - Association -- Participation -- Preference for the Poor --
Solidarity -- Stewardship -- Subsidiarity -- Equality -- Common Good
Every project and/or program designed and implemented by NCC is indicative of our preference for the
poor as the Gospel instructs. NCC's respect for human dignity, human life, and human equality is clearly
delineated in our quest for social justice and the common good through advocacy, resident organizing,
neighborhood outreach, leadership training, activity in the political process, and numerous other programs.

In addition, we are fast becoming a teaching/learning organization -

a Regularly held classes and workshops on developing employee skills and leadership talent has
become a critical competency

= Hosting groups interested in learning the NCC dynamic - Peace Corps; Northern Ireland, Belfast
Chamber of Commerce; Mustard Seed Development, CT., et al.
We recognize the need for solidarity and stewardship - that we are one human family with global
dimensions and a need to husband the resources of creation.

NCC founder, Msgr. Linder, has consistently communicated the need for Social Justice especially when
addressing those who have power or_influence. For example,

... The philosophy of NCC is the recognition and promotion of the dignity of the individual, the ability to
involve people in the process of creating the new...

Address to Center for Urban Policy

Research and Preservation, NJ

Rutgers University, 5/90

... It is the call to the institutions of our country first to consider the common good, not just the institutions’

narrow individual good. We need to act more and more as a people who are united in a common faith...
Address to Board of Directors, Federal
Home Loan Bank of New York, 4/92

... No city will ever be great unless its neighborhoods are healthy. New Community is devoted to
neighborhood development and, in fact, we target poor neighborhoods...
NCC is an integrated comprehensive response to the needs of those with limited resources...
Testimony - U.S. House of Representatives,
Committee on Education and Labor 3/94

... | am convinced ... that a shared vision and cooperation from all segments of the community would offer
to all the opportunity for a dignified human life and an environment supportive of God's kingdom on earth
Testimony - Economic Master Plan Commission
New Jersey 8/94

— 1338990900 —$—$—__

Charter School

The New Horizon Community Charter School is scheduled to open in September. NCC applied in August
'98 for funding to establish the school. The founders hope to strengthen Newark's communities and to
demonstrate the heights of academic achievement that children can attain when they are afforded superior
educational opportunities.

NCC intends that the new school have a safe, orderly environment where a Code of Civility is the rule, bad
conduct has consequences, and a simple uniform will be worn to help focus attention on academics.

Departmental Merger - In November 1998, Msgr. Linder and Kathy Spivey ( Chief of Staff )
formed a team to plan the merger of the NCC Departments of Human Services and Workforce
Development. The goal was to create a unified approach to service delivery for NCC's customers and
clients by these two departments which offer related services. The planning team included the senior
manager of both departments. The Human Services Director was designated head of the new
department.

As part of the planning process, the team engaged in an analysis of staff and activities to identify
redundancies of staff and effort as well as potential areas of interest. Although downsizing of staff was not
the goal, it was acknowledged that some positions would be eliminated and the need for new positions
could be identified.

Planning for the merger was completed on schedule by the end of 1998. The merger and new reporting
relationships were communicated to the department and network staff in January 1999. It is expected that
combining forces of these two departments will enhance efficiency and effectiveness. These are major
concerns for our Welfare Reform initiative, Gateway to Work. Many of our clients have precious little time
left on the Welfare rolls. We need to interview, train, and place our clients as quickly as possible.

Social Investment
According to Father Byron, S.J., " Neither principles nor values lead anywhere if they remain abstract,
embalmed in print, or are not internalized by human persons in human hearts."

NCC's mission - ... to improve the quality of life... is the driving force behind every program we undertake.
Everything we do must lead to the fulfillment of our mission.

We know we can't do it alone. The principle of solidarity - love thy neighbor - demands that we reach out.
You will realize an 8% return on any financial help you can give us.

For information on Social Investment, please contact
Rev. Msgr. William Linder
New Community Corporation

233 West Market Street
Newark, NJ 07103
Tel:(973) 482-0682 Fax:(973) 482-2137
Email: www.newcommunity.org

Madge Wilson

Oxford, North Carolina has produced one of the most kind, compassionate, upbeat, and multi-talented
people in the immediate world.

Madge Wilson was brought up in Oxford by her grandmother who taught her how to share. She also
taught her how to clean house, chop wood, study by the light of a kerosene lamp, and to be a faithful
Church-goer.

After completing high school, followed by a few odd jobs in Oxford, Madge came North to Newark. She
attended Essex County College as well as a variety of courses and workshops which would enhance
her natural abilities. In 1981 Madge became an accredited Resident Manager. She took Real Estate
Courses and Management Training from N.J. Housing Agency. Madge also took courses in self-
confidence/development from Dale Carnegie and John Robert Powers.

While she worked for the Newark Housing Authority from 1967 to 1980, Madge was heavily involved in
Queen of Angels Parish as well as the launching and early days of both Babyland and NCC. Madge
was a member of the Rosary Society, managed Bingo, and was active as a den mother with Boy Scouts
and CYO groups.

Madge marched in April 1968 in the NCC sponsored " Walk for Understanding" through the streets of
Newark devastated by the riots of July 1967. Many suburbanites who were already involved with NCC
and Babyland marched side-by-side with Newark residents. In addition, Madge Wilson was a founding
member of Operation Housewives. Suburban housewives came to Newark with clothes which the
Newark housewives sold in the Thrift Shop. Proceeds went to Babyland.

When Madge arrived to work full-time in NCC in 1980, she was a site manager who dealt effectively with
tenants and their inevitable problems and concerns. She worked in the NCC New Beginnings Spa
concentrating on the health needs of clients. Also at the Plaza, Madge worked as lunch time hostess.
Her statuesque figure and regal bearing made her a natural for meeting and greeting guests.

For the past few years, Madge has been working in St. Rose of Lima Rectory in Parish Outreach. Once
again, Madge is using her considerable talent as a caring communicator. She reaches out especially
to " those who are alone and have no one."

Madge Wilson counts her blessings despite the fact that her son was killed in a senseless
robbery/murder while he sat at his desk. Her daughter, Rhonda, and her grandson are among her
blessings. Rhonda is a teacher who is presently working toward her PhD in education.

We at NCC Network are truly blessed with this woman for all seasons.